FAQ: What your engine code means

[blippi]

basically this is a break down of what the numbers mean

the first letter is - Emissions

if it starts with C it meets Euro 1 emission legislation
                     X it meets Euro 2
                     Y it meets Euro 3
                     Z it meets Euro 4 which is the current legislation that new cars have to meet

if it has no letter its an engine from before the legislation came into force

the second two numbers are - Engine Capacity

so a 1.4litre astra would be 14
    a 2litre carlton should have 20
    a 3litre carlton GSi will have 30
    a 3.6litre Lotus Carlton will be 36

the next letter - Compression

each letter relates to the compression ratio
G= 8 to 8.5:1
L= 8.5 to 9:1
N= 9 to 9.5:1
S= 9.5 to 10:1
X= 10 to 11.5:1
Y= 11.5+:1

last letter - Fuel System

the last digit refers to the type of fuelling system

D= Diesel
E= Multi-point Injection
V= Carburettor
Z= Single-point injection


Certain engines have further engine numbers these explain what they mean



B= IBC
C= Corporation ignition system
F= Vehicles for Authorites
H= High Output/Supercharging
I= Irmscher
J= Throttled Output
K= Komplex
L= Low Output/Supercharging
P= Power Adapted
R= Increased Output
T= Turbo
U= Uruguay
V= Volume Model
W= Venezuela
2= Family II engine

[Matt]

Now that is Bloody interesting!

Always wondered what they all meant, especially the C30XEI fitted to the EVO 500's - higher compression, and the I stands for Irmscher!

Also the C30SEJ (Diamond engine) means it is throttled output which woul dexplain it only having 195bhp odd compared to the 200 odd from the C30SE.......

[YasmineLee]

Now that is Bloody interesting!

Always wondered what they all meant, especially the C30XEI fitted to the EVO 500's - higher compression, and the I stands for Irmscher!

Also the C30SEJ (Diamond engine) means it is throttled output which woul dexplain it only having 195bhp odd compared to the 200 odd from the C30SE.......

Hi

Whats a throttled output?

A Confused Yasmine

[carlton_mad]

more restrictive exhaust i think

[Scatmancraig]

Correct.  The Estate backbox is different on a Carlton 24v Diamond to a 24v GSi or Senator.  IIRC they're about 197bhp or something close to that figure.

[YasmineLee]

Cant i just change the thing then

Yasmine

[Murph]

Not quite that easy unfortunately. The back box on the estate is a completely different shape to allow it to fit around the fuel tank.

Cut'n'shut might be a good option if you know a good welder. 

[YasmineLee]

bugger.

i'll wait this one to fall off then do it

yas

[carlton_mad]

The back box on the estate is a completely different shape to allow it to fit around the fuel tank.
Cut'n'shut might be a good option if you know a good welder.

its so it goes round the spare wheel well in actual fact!

[Murph]

Well I knew it was one or t'other Smart Arse!